It is a great and glorious mystery that a holy God would see fit to reconcile an unworthy people back to himself through the person and the work of his Son. Not only that, but he has also invited us to join him in this ministry of reconciliation through the expansion of the gospel for the glory of his name, and for our joy. He’s given us a job – to be ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:14-21).
So this begs us to question: How then do we live in a manner worthy of our calling? Sisters who are also making and maturing disciples in small places, what can we specifically do towards this glorious goal?
A friend of mine often has said “intentional eyes and urgent heart” while speaking about how we should go about our day. This is a principle that I daily ask the Lord for help in before I walk out my door to head to work. Intentional eyes to see those around me as he does - ones whom he has created with a heart to worship him and him alone. And an urgent heart to share the eternal hope that we have been given in Christ, namely that he who was without sin or guilt was made to be sin so that, in him, we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Living in a small town has its advantages, doesn’t it? Wherever you go, you will most likely run into someone you know or someone you have met while out in the community. For lack of abundant options, we frequent the same grocery store each week, gravitate towards the same restaurants, and you may see the same families at the community park on summer nights.
With these regular rhythms comes prime opportunity for organic gospel conversations with those around us! The field is white for harvest and we ask the Lord of the harvest to make us faithful laborers willing to sacrifice our fears of rejection, anxiety of being asked a question we don’t know the answer to, or concerns with how we are perceived.
Maybe this week we can make it our aim to be prayerful at each place that we go, offering up ourselves as vessels for God to make his appeal through us. This might look like asking our cashier, server, friend at mother’s circle, or co-worker if we can be praying for them.
Prayerfully, as we intercede for these friends regularly we might have the opportunity to follow up on their request and invest in building a relationship that would bring the opportunity to invite them to the person and the work of Jesus on the cross and his resurrection from the dead.
Let the discipling begin!
Discipleship is learning and teaching the process of following Jesus. So, as we gather together in our weekly discipleship groups or in a one-to-one setting, our aim is to point continuously to the person and the work of Christ. To view all of life through a gospel lens - looking back to the grace of God in our rescue and looking forward to the glory that is to be revealed to us in Christ’s second coming.
Discipleship Grounded in God’s Word
There is no denying the huge number of platforms and voices today that attempt to tell us how to feel, how to live, and what to think. We’re hungry for truth, wisdom and guidance, and we want it in the quickest way that requires the least amount of discomfort on our part. The reality is, we will remain restless in this pursuit until we are feasting and finding our fill on the infallible, all-authoritative and all-satisfying Word of God (Psalm 19:7-10). His Word, graciously breathed out for us (2 Timothy 3:16) in the form of the Scriptures, is useful for instructing us in the way we ought to walk out the daily rhythms we spoke of earlier. It is a sword that tests our hearts and, coupled with the Holy Spirit, convicts, encourages and equips us for every good work. We can take heart in knowing with confidence that as we seek him, we will find him and that in him are pleasures forevermore.
Sisters, let’s feast together on the Word and wield it rightly. Let’s be women of the Word who gather around it with a deep, abiding desire to know Christ more deeply and to take what is learned and teach others also (Titus 2:3-5, 2 Timothy 2:1-2). Need some guidance in how to study and interpret God’s word? Grab a few of your favorite ladies and attend a Women’s Bible Training Summit [Click Here]!
Our Sanctification and God’s Glory
Mark Dever, in his condensed and helpful book “Discipling” states that “The work of discipling takes place in the present but it has eyes set on the last days.” We ought to be careful how we live while we wait. Scripture reminds us that the will of God is our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:1-3) and that we should be continuing in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23).
Within the group of ladies that I have the pleasure of following Christ alongside of in my local church, we frequently ask these three accountability questions: How have you been enjoying Christ this week? How have you obeyed/disobeyed him this week? How, or with whom, did you share Christ this week?
The aim, which is also the means for rejoicing, is that we are being transformed more and more into his image (2 Corinthians 3:18) as we choose to cast off our flesh and to walk by the Spirit!
Sisters, let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is surely faithful! And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, but let us be encouraging one another all the more as we see the day approaching (Hebrews 10:23-25).
All of this for the praise and the glory of his name.
Resources to Consider:
Discipling - Mark Dever
One To One Bible Reading - David Helm
Women of the Word - Jen Wilkin
For more information about Small Town Summits, including upcoming Summits, click here.
Elizabeth Burns
As women reconciled to Christ through the gift of the gospel, how do we take part in the ministry of the gospel around us? Join us as we discuss making much of gospel opportunities in the daily rhythms of life and inviting women into discipling relationships that are gospel-centered, grounded in God’s word and aimed at the glory of God and our sanctification.
Liz has the pleasure of overseeing the women’s discipleship efforts and the Connect Team at Rivertown Church in Brattleboro, VT.